Every patient heals at their own pace, but here is the recovery you can generally anticipate.
Your recovery timeline
Day of Surgery. Dr. Namin will meet with your family or friend once your procedure is complete. You will wake up with a cast over your nose and, in some cases, soft splints inside it. You will typically spend one to two hours in the surgical facility afterward. It is important that someone stays with you the first night after surgery.
Post-Operative Days 1-3. Apply cool compresses for up to 5 minutes every hour, and sleep with the head of your bed elevated. Bruising and swelling typically peak during this window.
Post-Operative Days 6-8. Dr. Namin will see you back in clinic to remove the cast and any internal splints. Swelling and bruising begin to improve. If you are traveling from out of town, you can plan to return home after this visit.
Post-Operative Week 2. Most bruising has resolved, and you can usually return to work and social events. You may resume light exercise (50% of your typical maximum exertion).
Post-Operative Weeks 2-4. Most of the swelling subsides during this time. By four weeks, roughly 80% of the swelling has resolved; the final 20% fades gradually over the course of the first year.
Post-Operative Week 4. Dr. Namin will see you for your second post-operative visit. You may resume vigorous exercise and submerging underwater.